ACCES-VR, formerly known as VESID, is part of the New York State Education Department and works with students, families and school districts to coordinate appropriate services for students with disabilities who are graduating high school and entering adult vocational rehabilitation and related services. This is the crucial part of ACCES-VR; to enable students to achieve the maximum success in post-school activities such as employment, college, independent living, and community participation. Students will be referred to ACCES-VR when the school, student and parents mutually agree that the student's disability will interfere with their ability to work in the community. The services are based on the individual student’s needs, preferences, potential, abilities and interests. These activities include instruction, community experiences, and development of employment, living skills and functional vocational evaluation. The transition services include service planning and the applicant is teamed up with a counselor/case manager who contributes knowledge of rehabilitation services and outcomes; is the broker consultant, planner, and coordinator, while setting goals (Vocational Rehabilitation: VR).
If a candidate’s employment objective requires college training, ACCES-VR can provide tuition assistance, fees, books and required materials, partial room and board and related support for consumers who meet eligibility based on their economic need. ACCES-VR consumers must establish an individualized plan for employment (IPE) with an employment objective requiring college training to qualify for assistance. In all instances students and families must first access traditional financial aid such as the New York State Tuition Assistance Program (TAP), federal PELL grants and/or Veterans college aid prior to relying on ACCES-VR sponsorship. At virtually every college campus throughout New York State, there are disability related resources available to assist students with disabilities with full access and accommodations (Vocational Rehabilitation: VR).
Another service offered by ACCES-VR is independent Living Centers which provide an array of services that assist clients to live fully integrated and self-directed lives. They assist with all aspects of living, learning and earning while providing a set of core services, which focus on promoting self-help, equal access, peer role modeling, personal growth, and empowerment. These services help meet the needs of the individual and the community. The core services are peer counseling, and independent living skills training which teaches life skills, budgeting, meal preparation, arranging transportation, personal assistance services, job seeking, and self-advocacy (Vocational Rehabilitation: VR).
Individual and Systems Advocacy addresses access to equal opportunities in social, economic, educational, and legal rights. Other services include housing assistance, acquiring and maintaining appropriate benefits and entitlements, communication barrier consultation, learning how to use, repair, and maintain equipment, registering to vote, in-service training, workshops/seminars on disability issues, and disability laws (Vocational Rehabilitation: VR).
ACCES-VR has a role-based case management model. Role-based case management focuses on the roles the case manager performs. The case manager is a broker. Role-based is an integrated care model. The goal is to meet all the needs of the client which includes intake interviews, data gathering, planning, linking the client to services, coordinating and delivering services, referral, and evaluation (Woodside, McClam, 2013).
What appeals to me about this program is that the case manager assumes many roles, the eligibility is clear, and when people refer to the organization I understand the services that the organization offers. I like the close relationship that they build with the client. What I do not like about this program is they are limited to the services they provide and the client must seek other organizations to receive additional help in areas that they may need. I can see myself working for this organization. I recognize the significance of being a case manager and assisting others to problem solve their situations and I can see myself being a case manager. The multicultural case management issues this organization faces are dealing with various types of disabilities and coordinating with other agencies to provide services that their client may need.
The Adult Career and Continuing Education Services-Vocational Rehabilitation (ACCES-VR) is a very good organization that helps people with disabilities gain access to employment and independent living services.
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